Reply #29: thanks for your response, and I see your point [View All]

[keopeli]

Authority is often abused, and some religious zealots endorse this abuse...even encourage it. I'm from West Texas and am terribly familiar with the pitfalls of the argument.

In addressing the law, I would rather make good proactive laws than narrow reactive laws. I envision a society that tolerates many diverse religious beliefs. It would not disappoint me to one day see Muslims among Christians and atheists among Mormons. I want to encourage this diversity and I want laws that do the same. I want the law to assume that educators, even sports coaches, are good people. Then, communinities and governing boards can oversee their actions.

I know very well that this is not the reality of today in many places. On the other hand, it does exist in some wonderful pockets of our country. I believe that by encouraging tolerance and reconciliation, respect and grace, we can transform Christianity in America into a more tolerant place.

Christianity makes up over 80% of our population. It is both a pipe dream and an insult to think you can make it go away or hide in the closet. I believe a more productive and progressive approach would be to encourage diversity and tolerance and respect, rather than become adversarial and prohibitive.

Frankly, atheist parents, just like muslim parents, can deal with their children and the society they encounter. In general, they have many options and resources available (excluding the indigent).

Finally, I don't believe everything I read and I don't take a reporter's perspective just because s/he is the messenger. I can see perfectly legitimate reasons for trying to encourage respect and diversity among teammates.

Thanks for the rich discussion!